Weekly eNote from Pastor Jason Gant - Friday, 24 June 2016 from The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection West in Olathe, Kansas, United States

Weekly eNote from Pastor Jason Gant - Friday, 24 June 2016 from The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection West in Olathe, Kansas, United States
Resurrection West,
We have watched the steel structure of the phase II building rise before our eyes and we’ve felt the great need for more space this week. Vacation Bible Camp wraps up today with over 60 volunteers welcoming 250 kids to “Meet the Royals” (Kings and Queens of the Bible). We also had 137 kids in morning sports camp coached by 36 different volunteers. Kids participated in arts & crafts, praise in song, great creative teaching skits, missions, outdoor recreation, fun snacks to emphasize the daily lesson, and more. Here are a just a couple of comments from volunteers this week about their small group times with their kiddos…
“As far as the 5th grade girls go.... I find they are very excited to be getting "older" and starting JR. High. They are always sharing stories about changes that are happening and new found interests in their lives. I feel they really enjoy the fact they have another group to share with outside of their immediate family and friends. It's fun to get excited along with them about schools, friends, their hair, their shorts, sports, and church!
Also exciting that they think I'm in my 20's (gulp) and "one of them." It's a great connection!”[Renee]
“I am teaching 3rd grade and it is awesome to see how my group is evolving from a group of kids that didn’t know each other into a team that is cooperating, laughing, learning, and working together. King Josiah’s story was impactful to them because most of them are 8 or 9 years old. They loved imagining that they were King or Queen and creating their own countries and laws, and they were silly with country names like “Baconville” or “Beef”, and laws like, “you must wear a poncho to do your grocery shopping.” But, when we talked about Josiah it was easy for them to relate to how scared and nervous he must have been to be a King and how he depended on God because he didn’t yet have the knowledge or experiences to lead a nation. I was cracking up talking with them about how most of them can’t even get their dirty clothes into the hamper or remember to brush their teeth and Josiah had to lead a country!”[Erin]
We simply could not reach and disciple so many kids and their families without these committed, loving, selfless, exhausted, joyous volunteers! I found myself having a conversation with a few 2nd graders who wanted to know all about the new church building. They said they were so excited to go inside of it when its complete. I responded, “well, its not a church, its a building our church will use”. One of the kids jumped in raising her hand and exclaimed, “we are the church, right?”. “Yes”, I said and that’s when she told me her Sports Camp coach taught her that! Borrowing a phrase from our Senior Pastor…”how cool is that!”
Kids also wrote letters of encouragement for every construction worker that will work on our building project in the coming weeks and months. They put together care bags decorated and filled with drinks, snacks, and candy as well. I’ve attached a pic of Lynnlea Nelson (KiDSCOR Early Childhood Program Director) and “Larry” (Travis Morgan) from our daily teaching skit presenting the cards and packages to Butch (General Superintendent - A.L. Huber). I’ll be sharing more photos this Sunday in worship. You can see many pics now on our Facebook page by clicking here.
Pastor Adam concludes the Lessons from Dogs series this Sunday as we look at the relationship between the dog and its master. He’ll share powerful video testimony from Billy who volunteers at the SPCA. He began caring for a dog who’d been terribly abused. As he helped this dog to heal he discovered healing for himself. You won’t want to miss it! Reach out right now and invite a pet-loving friend to join you in worship this Sunday!
Check out these additional opportunities to grow and serve.

• Follow Moses this Fall
• KiDSCOR Team Summer - Volunteer Recruitment
• Small Groups Forming Now
• FaithWork - Saturday July 9 from 9-11:30am
• Pre-Baptism Class
• Dog Days of Summer and Pet Blessing- July 22 from 5-7pm
• Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit - August 11-12
• Men's Fly Fishing Retreat - September 16-18
• Thursday LIVE Women's Study - Summer Registration now open!
• Holy Land pilgrimage in November! 

Follow Moses this Fall- “Exodus: Life of Moses” will not only be a sermon series by Pastor Adam startingAugust 14, but also a large group teaching event at Resurrection West beginning Monday, August 15, from 6:30-8 pm. Each week’s teaching event will follow the theme from that week’s sermon. Explore the journey of Moses through in-depth teaching and engaging discussion around the tables, plus enjoy a catered dinner each week. Registration opens soon! Contact David.Robertson@cor.org for more information.
KiDSCOR - Why Team Summer? During the school year, our children’s ministry welcomes over 300 kids every week. That’s 300 faces we get to lock eyes with, 300 hands we get to high-five, 300 names we call out in recognition, 300 hearts and minds that need to know they matter to God. For the 9 months of our school year, an army of 150 volunteers commit to serving children and families in this way each and every month. It’s our pleasure to give them a break during the summer to say thank you and provide a time of renewal. To continue to reach children, keep them safe and help them know the truth about who they are, a fresh summer volunteer team is vital. We invite you to walk alongside our children as they grow in their faith and as they ask important questions. You might just find yourself growing in your own faith as you serve. We’ll equip you with all you need to get started. Please sign up today at cor.org/west/teamsummer or contact christie.walker@cor.org.
Small Groups Forming – Email David.Robertson@cor.org to connect with a group. We have two groups forming right now: one group of retirees to meet every other Wednesday afternoon in group members’ homes and another for women in their 30s.
FaithWork - Saturday, July 9 from 9-11:30am. Adults and children of all ages welcome. For details contact Chris.Holliday@cor.org
Pre-Baptism Class – Join Pastor Jason on Tuesday, July 12, 5:15pm, RezWest Sanctuary. Holy Baptism is a covenant between an individual and God and all are welcome to receive this sacrament in the United Methodist Church. If you are considering baptism, we invite you to attend this class. Children are welcome to attend with you. For more information about baptism, email Debbie.Dietz@cor.org or fill out the baptism form online at cor.org/west/baptisms.
Dog Days of Summer and Pet Blessing- Olathe Fourth Fridays on July 22 from 5-7pm in Downtown Olathe – 100 W. Park Street. Bring your dog downtown for this event! Resurrection West will be doing a Pet Blessing, and you can enjoy food from local vendors, kid activities and an evening performance by the Civic Jazz Band.
Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit - Join 305,000 leaders committed to leading a life of impact at the Global Leadership Summit, August 11-12. Both our Blue Springs and Leawood campuses will be hosting the live broadcast event. To register, visit cor.org/willow, select your site and use Password: PREMIER16. Rate is $89 through July 12. To see the linup of speakers, visit willowcreek.com/summit.
Men’s Fly Fishing Retreat coming September 16-18. Relax, unwind, enjoy the outdoors at a world-class trout fishing game ranch. This is an awesome opportunity for guys to come together through scriptural study, devotion, worship, fellowship, and fly-fishing! Don't worry if you have never fly-fished before as there will be a casting clinic offered before fishing starts. Instruction will be provided for all levels of experience to ensure success for all on the waters. The trip cost is $145 per person and includes a fishing permit for the trip. Meals and gratuities are not included. A maximum of 28 spots available so register now at cor.org/west/mensflyfishing
Thursday LIVE! Register today for the women's summer study - Normal people are stressed, overwhelmed, and exhausted. And when it comes to God, the majority believe in him, but the teachings of scripture rarely make it into their everyday lives. Simply put, normal isn’t working. Join us as we study Craig Groeschel’s book, “Weird, Because Normal Isn’t Working”. Class dates are July 7, 14, 21 and 28, meeting from 9:30-11:30am. Childcare is available with registration at cor.org/west/thursdaylive.
Holy Land Trip – Nov 14-23. Join Resurrection West pastor Jason Gant and Resurrection Blue Springs pastor Penny Elwood on this amazing 10-day tour, Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus. Information brochures are available at the RezWest front desk. Contact Debbie.Dietz@cor.org with questions.
Finally, I am glad to be back with you in worship this Sunday. It was great having a Sunday off with my family, but I truly miss connecting with everyone on Sundays. I hope you will make being in worship a priority when you are not traveling this summer. May God continue to strengthen us in the mission we are called to as we build Christian community where non religious and nominally-religious people are becoming deeply committed Christians.
Looking forward to worshipping with you on Sunday,
Pastor Jason
Resurrection West Campus
24000 West Valley Parkway

Olathe, Kansas 66061, United States
913-538-7800
For an after hours urgent pastoral care need call 913-338-9477
Resurrection West Staff
Travis Morgan - Director of Staffing and Operations
Chris Holliday - Associate Pastor, Care and Missions
David Robertson - Director of Community Life
Lindsay Hefner - Director of Worship Arts
Ryan Rancudo - Assistant Director of Worship Arts
Rick Webb - Director of rezlife Student Ministries
Kirsten Baxter - Summer Intern
Christie Walker - Director of KiDS COR Children's Ministries
Lynnlea Nelson - Early Childhood Program Director
Sommer Kelling - Nursery Coordinator
Debbie Dietz - Coordinating Assistant to Pastor Jason
Kevin Euston - Technical Producer Team Lead
James Wear - Technical Producer Media and Graphics




The United Methodist Church of the
Resurrection West
24000 West Valley Parkway

Olathe, Kansas 66061, United States
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